550 Squadron and RAF North Killingholme Association

Events: Archived List

Below is the archived list of Association "Events" over the past years.

A summary table of Association annual events is available here. But for more detailed items on events see the sub-sections below.

It is possible that some links may be broken in the move to this archived list. Pages may display with poor formatting. If there is a link, that is broken, and you do wish to see what it referred to do email the web-site and it may be possible to retrieve the information.

Accommodation: For those planning to stay over-night/over-weekend this travel and accommodation information may be of interest.
The hotel has already taken bookings for our weekend, so if you have not already booked then booking as soon as possible strongly recommended!

Sint Niklass: Saturday 26th May 2018Commemoriation for the P/O Dukelow crew (LL851) who were killed on 21/21 May 1944: LL851.

Westerlo: Sunday 27th May 2018Commemoriation at the memorial at the crash site of the P/O G W Hinde crew (DV309) who were killed on 21/22 May 1944. This is the 20th anniversary of the unveiling of the memorial: DV309.

Further information about all of the above appears in the April 2018 newsletter.
We receive tremendous support from the groups in Belgium and try to attend as many of their events as we can. If any member would like to visit they will be assured of a very warm welcome. George Turner goes to many of the ceremonies and is a good source of information. He can be contacted by telephone or email: George Turner.

Armistice Service, Remembrance SundaySaturday 10th November (Evening Meal)Sunday 11th November (Museum, Services and Lunch)Details have been published in the October newsletter.
Below is the schedule for both Saturday (evening) and Sunday

The details about why the date for the 2017 reunion has been changed to September are available here.

Yorkshire

Ellingstring: Saturday 24th June 2017A plaque will be unveiled in memory of the F/O Hayter crew who crashed flying NF963 on 4th October 1944 on a training operation. F/O Hayter was the only survivor. A small ceremony will take place at the crash site.

Lichtervelde: Sunday 28th May 2017The official unveiling of the memorial at the crash site of the P/O McCrae crew (LL810/BQ-K) who were killed on 27/28 May 1944 will take place at 10.30am on 28th May, the 73rd anniversary of their loss: LL810

Berinzenne: Summer 2017A memorial plaque will be laid later in the year in memory of F/O Milburn and crew who crashed flying ME581/BQ-D on 22/23 April 1944: ME581

Further information

Further information about all of the above appears in the April 2017 newsletter.
We receive tremendous support from the groups in Belgium and try to attend as many of their events as we can. If any member would like to visit they will be assured of a very warm welcome. George Turner goes to many of the ceremonies and is a good source of information. He can be contacted by telephone on email: geowturner@gmail.com

Armistice Service, Remembrance SundaySunday 12th November 2017550 Squadron Memorial Stone and St. Denys' Church
Details have been published in the October newsletter.

Timetable of Events
Detailed timetable of the Saturday events
(inc. minor revision with a Spitfire replacing the Dakota for the flypast)

Saturday 2nd July 2016 - BBMF flypast confirmed but note UPDATE

"We have received confirmation from the RAF Events Team that our application for a flypast on Saturday 2nd July has been successful but that we have been allocated the Dakota as the Lancaster is elsewhere that weekend. Obviously we would prefer the Lancaster, but the flypast is an important part of our event and we appreciate very much the continued support of the RAF Events Team and the BBMF."

UPDATE: The BBMF have been in touch to report that the Dakota is unserviceable (requires an engine replacement) and so will be unavailable for the flypast. They have stressed that they wish to support 550 so they are providing us with a Spitfire flypast in place of the Dakota. So we will get to hear the sound of a Merlin overhead. The time is unchanged, subject to the usual provisos on the day (weather, etc).

Accommodation: For those planning to stay over-night/over-weekend this travel and accommodation information may be of interest.
The hotel has already starting taking bookings for our weekend, so if you have not already booked then booking at the earliest opportunity is strongly recommended!
Reunion weekend: summaryFull Saturday Itinerary: summary

Booking forms and menu selections are available below:

Document

Description

Booking Form (MSWord)

Booking Form (PDF)

IMPORTANT NOTE: for those planning to include a visit to see the "Poppies" now on display for the summer at Lincoln Castle. Entry to see the display is free; however normal entry fees apply to those wishing to do the full Castle visit.

Armistice Service, Remembrance SundaySunday 13th November 2016550 Squadron Memorial Stone and St. Denys' Church
Details have been published in the October newsletter. Below is the schedule for Saturday and Sunday.

Document

Description

Remembrance Weekend 2016
Timetable of Events

2015

2015 - 70th Anniversary of Operation MANNA

Belgium

Commemorations in two locations:

Rebecq, Wednesday 27th MayPurney crew and the villagers who paid with their lives for assisting the survivors: JA712

After the uncertainty last autumn about the availability of the Lancaster in 2015 due to the cancellation of the Waddington Airshow, it was wonderful to be able to report that the RAF Air Events Team had informed the Association that the application for a Lancaster flypast on Saturday 4th July 2015 had been successful. However as you may be aware the BBMF Lancaster was affected by an engine fire during a flight at the beginning of May. The aircraft is still under repair and it was hoped that the BBMF Dakota that would carry out the flypast duties.

Information received 29/06/15: the BBMF Dakota willNOT now be able to carry out a fly-past on Saturday (engine problems requiring a replacement is fitted), as noted above under LATE UPDATE.

Accommodation: For those planning to stay over-night/over-weekend the following travel and accommodation information may be of interest.
The hotel is already well booked for our weekend, so if you have not already booked then booking at the earliest opportunity is strongly recommended!

Please submit booking forms (with menu selections) to Don Kentish at latest by 16th June if you are attending the Friday and Saturday evening meals as the hotel needs to have accurate numbers.

Important travel information: The following link is from the Grimsby Telegraph:
Work starts on new £90 million A160 road near ImminghamIt concerns the main route into North Kilingholme from the rest of the country and is likely to go on for many months; those travelling to NK in July for the reunion might need to allow additional time for their journey.

Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday Sunday 8th November 2015

550 Squadron Memorial Stone and St. Denys' Church

The Sunday timetable will remain essentially unchanged from previous years. Full details are published in the October newsletter (with a summary timetable below).

We are delighted to inform you that 100 Squadron, now a fast-fighter training unit, has agreed to provide a flypast by two aircraft over St. Denys' Church at 12.02 hrs on Sunday 8th November. This does not necessitate any changes to the published programme.
550 Squadron was formed from "C" Flight of 100 Squadron, then based at RAF Waltham, in November 1943 and we are indebted to its Officer Commanding and his colleagues for their support.

2014

2014 will be the 70th Anniversary of Squadron Operations from North Killingholme

30/10/2014

Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday Sunday 9th November

550 Squadron Memorial Stone & St. Denys' Church

The Sunday timetable will remain unchanged from previous years. Full details are published in the October newsletter; a summary version of which is available in the Association Newsletters

Flying with 550 Squadron from North Killingholme: A talk by Jack Harris (poster in PDF format). Tickets can be reserved to be collected on the night.
Stop Press: 30 Oct
Unfortunately this talk scheduled to have been given by Jack Harris in North Killingholme on 7 November has had to be cancelled at Jack's request. Due to illness Jack feels unable to undertake the long journey to North Killingholme at this time.
Apologies for any disappointment caused.

Accommodation: For those planning to stay over-night/over-weekend the following travel and accommodation information may be of interest.
The hotel is already well booked for our weekend, so if you have not already booked then booking at the earliest opportunity is strongly recommended!

Additional flypast opportunity: The Killingholme Full Bore Club have secured a "last minute" flypast by the BBMF Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane on Sunday 6th July morning at approximately 11.30am.
The club is based at the former 550 Squadron firing range on the airfield and they are unveiling a plaque in honour of the Squadron to celebrate the 70th anniversary of operations from North Killingholme. Jack Harris will unveil the plaque.
This is a Killingholme Full Bore Club organised event, but all Squadron Association members are warmly invited to attend.

Rebecq Wednesday 28th May16/02/2014

Memorial to P/O Purney and crew of JA712 and the villagers who paid with their lives for assisting the survivors.

This commemoration will remember all of the 550 crews lost over Belgium 70 years ago - Berinzenne, Jalhay, Sint-Niklass, Westerlo, Lichtervelde and Rebecq

The reunion in 2013 has special significance - it is the 70th anniversary of the formation
of the Squadron. The aim is to make this reunion that little bit extra special.

Travel Note: the railway line between Doncaster and Scunthorpe will be closed all summer and members should take account of this when making their travel arrangements. There is a replacement bus service or it is possible to re-route through Lincoln. See travel and accommodation information link below for more details.

Summary: Details from the May Newsletter. As usual all activity is centred around North Killingholme. This summary outlines the weekend planned.

Accommodation: For those planning to stay over-night/over-weekend the following travel and accommodation information may be of interest.
Hotel booking at the earliest opportunity is strongly encouraged!

Remembrance Sunday30/10/2013

North Killingholme Sunday 10 November

The usual schedule for Remembrance Sunday is being followed. The detailed arrangements are available in the October Newsletter (see summarised information in the link below).

Events 2012

If you are planning to attend events as detailed in the Timetable of Events above, then NOTE:
i) rooms in the Ashbourne Hotel will be released this weekend (3rd November 2012) so do please book NOWii) also if you are planning to attend the meals then again do please inform Don Kentish NOW so that the numbers can be finalised.

North Killingholme Friday 29 June - Saturday 30 June

All activity is centred around North Killingholme. For those planning to stay overnight for the reunion the following information about events and accommodation will be of interest.
Hotel booking at the earliest opportunity is strongly encouraged!
Weekend activities Summary.
Saturday Itinerary details.

Westerlo Saturday 19 May & Sunday 20 May

Services, in Westerlo, Belgium to commemorate F/Sgt Hinde and crew: See Itinerary
for details

2011

Events 2011

July 2011 Reunion

The annual reunion this year is on 1-3 July. The booking form and menus will be issued in the upcoming May newsletter and available here online as well.
Options for return:

Print off copy, complete and post in the normal manner

Print off copy, complete, scan into your complter and use online form to upload a copy and email

Annual Reunion29/06/2011

North Killingholme Friday 1 July - Sunday 3 July

All activity this year is centred around North Killingholme. For those planning to stay overnight for the reunion the following information about events and accommodation will be of interest.
Hotel booking by June 18 strongly encouraged!

Battle of Britain Concert

It is appropriate that on Armistice Day we remember those 550 Squadron men who never came home.
An Official telegram,
similar to that received by Sgt Wilfred Barratt's mother, would have informed the families they left behind of the news
they would not have wanted to hear.

Events 2009

Just the place for announcements, notice of forthcoming events, etc, etc, etc.

When needed can be used to disseminate information to a large audience more rapidly than is possible in a quarterly publication.
A mailing list prompting members to look at the site for an important announcement would be trivially available.